Former Foreign Minister Abdulla Shahid has appealed his arrest warrant to the High Court following his detention on allegations of sexual abuse involving a minor.
High Court records show the appeal was filed and is under consideration for registration. Shahid, 64, was arrested on the night of 2 November under a court order from his residence in Hulhumalé. Police said the investigation concerns the alleged repeated sexual abuse of a person under 18, with acts reportedly ongoing since early this year.
The Criminal Court ordered a 30-day remand after he was presented for a hearing. Police later searched his residence under a separate court order. Shortly before his arrest, Shahid posted on X denying the allegations as baseless and politically motivated attempts to damage his reputation. His son has also publicly defended him.
Shahid previously served twice as Foreign Minister, as Speaker of Parliament for 23 years, and as President of the 76th session of the United Nations General Assembly. He is currently seeking the Maldivian Democratic Party nomination for the 2028 presidential election. Police have not released further details of the investigation.
